KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian women’s head coach Soleen Al-Zoubi believes that her tactical plans will be the key to the Malaysian Tigresses’ quest for glory.
Speaking to Scoop, the 37-year-old coach believes that her players have the potential to achieve greater things under her guidance.
“I would say there has been an improvement from the players in understanding the game and their role on the field, as well as their ability to make use of my tactical plans.
“However, it is imperative to acknowledge that developing skills and reaching a higher performance level will require additional time and practice, including participating in more domestic and international games.”
The Jordanian, who previously served as the director of women’s football for the Jordan Football Association, also praised the clubs in the National Women’s League (LWN) for their efforts in preparing the players for national call-ups.
“We have a huge pool of players who are ready for selection, and the domestic clubs should take the credit for always having them prepared for a call-up.
“To ensure sustainability, players should consistently train with professional clubs under highly qualified coaches and regularly participate in domestic matches throughout the year.
“This league is crucial for female players, as we need our players to possess a winning mentality and a strong belief in themselves when they step out to represent Malaysia.”
Soleen said her coaching team has been working diligently to build chemistry and camaraderie within the women’s national team.
“We have come up with many methods to build team bonds and communication on and off the pitch during the camps.
“Starting from the distribution of the rooming list, mixing different personalities and skill levels helps our players get to know each other better and build connections.
“Encouraging our players to put away their phones for a specific period during meal times helps create a distraction-free environment where teammates can engage in conversations.”
Soleen, who is also the co-founder and president of the Finaa Organisation, a non-profit body that empowers Jordanian girls and women through football, also highlighted the obstacles the Malayan Tigresses team has encountered and how she plans to address them.
“It is common for women’s football to face numerous challenges at the beginning, such as a lack of knowledge and professionalism, basic football skills, and a competitive mindset of the players.
“Addressing these challenges is an ongoing process. We don’t have a magical solution, but we aim to prioritise this issue through a step-by-step approach,” said Soleen.
The national women’s team recently received scrutiny from football fans for their performance in the SEA Games held in Cambodia, where they conceded nine goals in three games and were eliminated in the group stage.
The team will soon head to Saudi Arabia to take part in the Women’s International Friendly Tournament organised by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) from September 18-30.
The tournament will feature five other teams – Laos, Pakistan, Bhutan, Lebanon, and host Saudi Arabia.
The teams have been drawn into two groups according to their world rankings, with Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan in Group A, and Laos, Lebanon, and Bhutan in Group B. – September 2, 2023